US2362091A

US2362091A - Lighting fixture

Info

Publication number: US2362091A
Application number: US484439A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter J Parlato
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-04-24
Filing date: 1943-04-24
Publication date: 1944-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1961-11-07

Description

Nov. 7, 1944, P. J. PARLATQ 2,362,091

LIGHTING FIXTURE Original Filed Oct. 10, 1941 INVENTOR. Pr/er f. farh/o 71%017, livwmvfiwmbmiz Patented Nov. 7, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE Y 2,362,091 i a LIGHTING FIXTURE Peter J. Parlato, Harrington ParkN. J. Substituted forabandoned application Serial No.

414,438, October 10, 1941.

This application 3 Claims.

"The present invention relates to electric light fixtures and, more particularly, to electric light fixtures .of the type which employs fluorescent lighting tubes; and the present application is a substitute for my prior application Serial No. 414,438, filed October 10, 1941.

A general object of the present invention is to .provide a device of ,the character described,

-lly accessible for repair from below without necessitating removal of any top covers or lowering ofthe'fixtures to permit access to space or chambers opened from above; and the provision of such a fixture in which an elongated or longitudinally extending, channel-shaped, frame element, which may be of relatively light-weight and simple construction, acts as a protective. container or way for the electrically conductive means or conductors leading to and/or from the ballast means.

Another object of the invention is to provide afiuorescent-tube fixture having the tube supports carried by and their immediate electrical connection enclosed in hollow end housings securedto or supported from such an elongated frame element, and in which associated electrical means may be at least partially isolated by a guard or reflector element which, if desired, may beformed from electrically non-conductive materiaLand/or to provide such a guard or reflector element which is supported on, and readily removable from, such housings.

-A-further object of t e present invention is the provision of such a light fixture which is characterized by a pair of spaced-apart hollow end 'elementseach having an enclosed chamber thereiman elongated channel-shaped frame element extending between and secured to the end elements, electrically conductive means substantially enclosed in andsupported by the frame element and extending into the chambers in the end elements, at least one pair of electric-lightsocket supports one of which is anchored in each ofvtheend elements andextends through a wall thereof, a pair of electric-lightsockets supported by the socket supports exteriorly of the end elements, an electric-light tube extending between and supported by th sockets with the latter being connected to the electrically conductive means in -the chambers through the socket sup- .portsand ,a reflectorof sheet material supported directly upon and ,solely by .the'end elements while being positioned between the frame element and the tube.

Other objectsoi theinvention will in part be obvious and will .in partappear hereinafter.-

,The invention accordingly comprises the .features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement .of parts, which will .be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forthand the scope of the invention will be indicated in theclaims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description .taken in connection with the accompanyin drawing, in which:

Fig. ,1 is aperspective view of one embodiment of the ,present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view ofportions of the frame element and an endelement, tObe fastened together for'support ,of one from theothenshown in Fig.1; and

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the end element shown in Fig. 2, as viewed from the other side thereof.

In the drawing, in which like numerals identify like parts throughout, ill-l0 denotes a plurality of fluorescent light tubes. The two ends of each tube 10 are held in a known manner respectively by sockets mounted on supports II, I! through the interior of which electrical connecting means extend to the sockets. Each of the supports ll--'|l which support the adjacent ends of the tubes"l0l0 may be made integral with each other in any desired fashion (not shown).

, A frame element l2, preferably channel-shaped as shown, extendsparallel to-the tubes Ill-l0 and in the, preferred embodiment is an elongated element, asshown. -'Sincethe'tubes |0-Ill are elongatedelements extending substantially in the same direction which constitutes a principal direction of the device and in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing the long dimension thereof, the frame element -l2 is herein termed a longitudinally" extending element, although it may not of necessity have the longest dimension of thedevice. The frame element I2 is shownin Fig. Zas-being a hollowparallelepiped or channel-shaped membenpreferably having an elongatedopening or slot "l3 in its inner or bottomside extending lengthwise thereof, Attached to the frame element I2 is a casing H, in which are mounted the various electric means at present used in connection with the fluorescent light tubes,'such as ballast means. The casing I4 may be a separate unit attached to frame element I2, or it may be an enlarged portion of that element. Main electrical connection leads I5, I5 are brought to the frame element I2 at any convenient points thereof. Electrical wiringor conductors are carried from the casing I4 by frame element I2 in each direction toward the ends of the device, where they are eventually attached to the conductors in the supports I I--I I. If there is a slot I3 present, it may be covered, if desired, with a removable strip I30 of electrically-nonconductive material in the assemblage of the device. It should be noted that the frame element I2 which carries the electric means does not have a removable cover but has a permanently closed top side, and the interior thereof is not reached from above but is accessible from the bottom side thereof. Since the frame element I2, which may or may not include the casing I4, may be entirely enclosed and may be formed of a single piece of material, there is no requirement from the point of View of insulation that there be any guarding element but, with devices not made in accordance with the present invention, which are equipped with horizontally disposed fluorescentlight tubes, underwriters have required heretofore that a protective element be provided beneath the wiring and the electric control means or ballast means to safeguard those beneath the lights. The frame element I2 is made of a rigid material such as steel or it may be made of a rigid electrically-nonconductive material.

Each end of the frame element I 2 is secured to or supports a hollow end element I6 having a chamber therein. The frame element I2 either supports the end elements I6, I6 or they support it. The end elements I6, I6 may have a variety of shapes. They are made of electrically-nonconnection with one of the fluorescent-light tubes. Only one of the hollow end elements I6 need be provided with such openings 2323 for such switch devices.

The semi-circular end-wall or disc I8 of eac end element I6 is shaped to provide a ledge 24 on the exterior face of the end element which faces toward the other end element. The ledge 24 may be of any convenient shape. It may be, for example, V-shaped. However, the ledge 24 is preferably semi-circular; or, if the entire housing is slightly less than semi-circular, the ledge is also, but in either case with its surface lying substantially along a circular arc.

The cup-shaped element I! and the cover plate 22, together forming the hollow end element, are preferably ,detachably connected together and to the frame element I2, and in any convenient fashion. As shown, the cross flange may have a depression or channel 25 formed centrally thereof, adapted to receive therein the frame element I2, and provided with a threaded opening 26 adapted to register with an opening 21 in one end of the frame element I2 whereby frame element I2 and the cup-shaped element Il may be secured together by a screw. The frame element I2 at both of its ends, may be provided with other openings 28, 28 preferably internally threadedf into which may be threaded

screws

29, 29 to seconductive material and preferably of glass. Any

glass-like material or plastic of suflicient rigidity may be used. As shown, each end element I6 is preferably made in two parts, which together form a semi-cylindrical, hollow casing having a chamber therein, with that portion of the periphery which faces outward and downward being semi-circular in cross section.

' In the preferred embodiment, one of the parts of the housing or end element I6 preferably is in the form of a cup-shaped element I'I comprising a semi-circular end-wall or disc I8, a semicircular flange I9 and a flange 20 extending between the ends of the flange I9 This cup-shaped element or part Il may be pressed or molded so as to be a single piece of glass or other selected material. Notches 2 I2I are preferably provided along the outer edge of flange I9. The other part of the hollow end element I6 preferably comprises a cover plate 22, preferably of the same material as part I'I. Plate 22 may, if desired, extend radially beyond socket supports IIII and may have an outer periphery which differs in shape from the flange I9.

With plate 22 in position notches 2I-2I provide openings through a wall of the end element I6 which are adapted to permit the supports IIII (which may be connected together centrally) to extend out therethrough. Openings 2323 may be formed in flange I9 adjacent respectively to each of the notches 2 I 2| as shown. These openings 23--23 may be provided to permit switch devices to extend outtherethrough. Each such switch device may be provided for use in cure one end of an angle iron 30 thereto. The other end of angle iron 30 is secured to the closure plate 22, such as by screws 3 I-3 I.

One or more guard or reflector elements are adapted to be fitted between the end elements I6, I6 and supported on the

ledges

24, 24. Such elements, as curved reflector 32, may be withdrawn from the device by sliding or rotating them along the ledges 24, 24 without otherwise taking the device apart. The element 32, which may be a sector of a cylinder as shown, may be termed a guard, although it is not required as such, and one of its main functions is to act as a reflector for the light from the tubes I0- I0. Element 32 is preferably formed from electrically-nonconductive material, for example glass, and may be coated with any desired material in order that it may be more decorative and/or in order that it may reflect more light. As shown, this guard or reflector element 32 is adapted to be positioned between the frame element I2 and the tubes !0I0, beneath the frame element I2 and casing I4.

The device described above is simply assembled The hollow end elements I6, I6 are attached to the elongated or longitudinally extending frame element I2. The ceramic elements, each with socket supports IIII are positioned respectively in the two end elements I6, I6. Various wires and wiring or electrical conductors, brought or led through frame element I2, may pass down into the chambers in the hollow end elements I6, I6 through an opening 33 in each of the latter. The wiring and other electrical parts are packed into the hollow end elements I6, I6, which are then closed to form containers by putting the

cover plates

22, 22 in position and securing the parts together by the angle irons 30-30. The guard or reflector 32 is then slipped or rotated into position along the

ledges

24, 24,

- wiring or connections.

opening in the end-wall or disc [8 and may be positioned beneath the cross flange 20.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that the light fixture described above is constructed in such a fashion that it may be readily serviced from below without being taken down. The casing l4, preferably of plastic material, and the conductors in frame element 12 are accessible from below upon the removal of the decorative guard 32, and, when employed, the beforementioned removable strips covering portions of slot I 3. There is no necessity for an upper cover, and there is no necessity for a worker to climb up over the top of frame element l2, or the entire unit, or to demount the latter, in order to take care of the ballast means and electrical Practically all danger of short-circuiting the end elements l6, I6 of the device, where various wires have to be led to the various supports ll-H and where those supports have, in many cases, exposed metallic terminals or ends, is eliminated. Even if the insulation on the wires should by chance become worn, there is no possibility of those wires in end containers shorting through the material of containers themselves, when, as preferred, the end elements l6, [6 are made from glass or some other electrically-nonconductive material. Electric light fixtures of the general type discussed here at times need care, such as substitution of tubes, etc., and it is desirable that danger from short cireuiting in or contact of bare conductors with the end elements, which support those tubes and carry the Wiring to them and to their separate switches when used, should be eliminated, as is accomplished by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lighting fixture the combination comprising a pair of spaced-apart hollow end elements each having an enclosed chamber therein, reflector supporting ledges on said end elements, an elongated channel-shaped frame element extending between and secured to said end elements, said frame element having the channel therein permanently closed on the top side thereof and a longitudinally extending slot in the bottom side, removable plate means closing the slot, a ballast carrying casing mounted beneath said frame element and supported thereby, electrical conductors enclosed in said frame element by said plate means and extending from said ballast carrying easing into the chambers in said end elements,

at least one pair of electric-light socket supports with one thereof anchored in each of said end elements and extending through a wall thereof,

-a pair of electric-light sockets with one thereof mounted on one of said socket supports and the other mounted on the other socket support exteriorly of said end elements for support therebetween of an electric-light tube below said frame element, said sockets being connected to said electrical conductors in the chambers through said socket supports, and a transversely curved reflector of sheet material removably supported directly upon and solely by said ledges beneath said frame element and said casing and between said frame element and a line extending through said sockets.

, 2. In a lighting fixture the combination comprising a longitudinal frame element, electricallynonconductive end elements fastened to said frame element, said end elements having supporting ledges surfaces of which lie along substantially circular arcs, electrically conductive means substantially enclosed in and supported by said frame element, electric-light-tube supports supported by said end elements, an electric-light tube extending between said end elements and supported by said supports, and a removable electrically-nonconductive guard transversely curved substantially along a circular are positioned between said electric-light tube and said frame element beneath the latter and rotatively supported on said ledges for rotative removal therefrom.

3. In a lighting fixture the combination comprising a longitudinal frame element adapted for supporting and enclosing electrical elements, semi-cylindrical hollow end elements of electrically-nonconducting material supported by and at the ends of said frame element, at least one pair of electric-light-socket supports with one anchored in each of said end elements and extending through awall thereof, a pair of electriclight sockets with one mounted on one of said socket supports and the other mounted on the other socket support exteriorly of said end elements for support therebetween of any electriclight tube, electrically conductive means substantially enclosed in and supported by said frame element and extending into said hollow end elements to said socket supports, each of said end elements having on the side thereof facing toward the other end element a ledge located between the end of said frame element and said socket mounted thereto with the surface of said ledge lying along a substantially circular arc, and a removable element of electrically-nonconductive sheet material transversely curved substantially along a circular are having the curved edges thereof rotatively supported on said ledges for rotative removal therefrom.

PETER J. PARLATO.